The 35-year-old doctor will conduct a series of scientific experiments while in space.
He described his mission as a "giant leap" for all Malaysians, and said he hoped to inspire his countrymen.
Mr Shukor will be the first Muslim to fly in space during the holy month of Ramadan and will be there for the Eid festival, when he will treat his crewmates to a celebratory meal.
For the rest of the time he will try and observe the dawn-to-dusk fasting rules of Ramadan.
